A/N: Hey guys, thanks so much for the reviews and the support! This chapter focuses a lot more on emotion and there's not much plot in it but hopefully you still enjoy it. Regardless, I hope you leave a review and tell me what you liked/didn't like and what you want more of. Merry Christmas and happy reading~

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters.

Chapter 2

"How long have you been here?"

Her voice was soft and trembling, just loud enough to break the silence between them. Fingers fiddling in her lap, she kept her eyes fixed on the pebbles, desperately avoiding his strong gaze.

"As long as you have."

Her eyebrows rose at his words. The thought of him following her all the way from camp, looking out for and ready to save her at any moment, was… weird, unthinkable, incomprehensible even. She blinked her eyes back into focus, turning her head in his direction.

"And how long is that?"

"About four hours."

"Shit."

His mouth curled up into a lopsided smirk. It softened his eyes, making him look younger, happier; Clarke couldn't help but smile back.

The echoes of their brief conversation lingered for a second longer, before swallowed up by the wind, once again leaving them suspended in stillness and tension. Clarke had so desperately wanted to ask why, why he would do this for her. Why he would follow her, save her, comfort her. But part of her didn't have the guts, and part of her couldn't bear an answer.

So they just sat there. Clarke with her back against the tree, eyes squinted closed, while Bellamy sat opposite her facing the forest, his glance alternating between the trees and Clarke. He wanted to comfort her, but he didn't know how. It's hard to know what to say when you're not usually one to talk at all.

"He's gone you know. Forever. Because of me."

Bellamy sat up at the sound of her voice, relieved that she had finally said something. Of course, he thought to himself. Of course she was thinking about Finn.

"It's not your fault, Clarke. He didn't have to kill all those innocent grounders. He didn't have to open fire."

"He did it for me, because of me!" She shot her eyes open, her stare boring into him. Her voice was forced and defensive, the words catching on her throat.

"SO WHAT? DID YOU WANT TO DIE IN HIS PLACE? DO YOU THINK IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN YOU? HUH?" Bellamy didn't know what took over him. He was standing up now and pacing in front of her, hands behind his back and eyes fixed on hers. He was angry that she could ever blame herself, especially for something so out of her control. She didn't ask for Finn to die. In fact, she saved him; she saved him from pain, suffering, and embarrassment that the Grounders would have given him.

Bellamy's sudden lash out left Clarke speechless. She leaned further back into the tree, eyes diverting from him, quivering. When he stopped pacing, he dropped himself next to her, sitting close enough for her to feel his warmth. The next time he spoke, his voice was gentle and soothing.

"Clarke, listen to me," he placed a reassuring hand on her forearm. "It's not your fault. It never was, and I know that it never will be. Yes, Finn didn't deserve to die. But neither do you! It's different now; we don't make all the rules. Bad people will make bad decisions that we have to deal with. Shit will happen, and we have to move on. We mourn our losses and we remember them in our hearts. But don't forget that we've got friends trapped in Mount Weather, still breathing, still saveable. And they need you, Clarke. The people need their princess."

She blinked away tears as they drew wet lines down her soft cheek. Bellamy leaned in closer and wrapped his arm around her, prompting her to rest her head on his shoulder. She couldn't help but find safety in his presence, and comfort in his touch. A small smile graced her face. When they arrive back at camp, Clarke would be bombarded by people and talk. Some will praise her, but most will criticise. She didn't know who would welcome her with open arms, and who would greet her with guns. But she knew one thing for certain; Bellamy was here for her, and he's here to stay.